Phenotypic identification of Candida species and relative expression of candida drug resistance (CDR1) gene in fluconazole resistant and sensitive Candida albicans

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
 Background and objective:
 Candida albicans belongs to the genus Candida. It is a commensal yeast in healthy individuals and can cause wide variety of infections in immune-compromised patients. The aim of the present study was to observe the frequency of Candida species, resistant profile of C. albicans against fluconazole and over-expression of CDR1 gene in both fluconazole resistant and sensitive C. albicans.
 Methodology:
 A total number of 206 Candida species were collected on Sabouraud Dextrose agar from Jinnah hospital Lahore. The isolates were re-confirmed by using various microbiological techniques like wet preparation, Gram stain and Germ tube test. Identification upto the species level was done by APIC 20AUX. Antifungal susceptibility profile of C. albicans against fluconazole was determined by broth microdilutiom method. Real Time PCR was performed on both the sensitive and resistant C. albicans to observe the role of CDR1 gene against fluconazole resistance. Results:
 
 tropicals was the most common species with the frequency of 66 (32.0%) followed by C. albicans 41(19.9), C. glabrata 24 (11.7%), C. lusitaniae 14 (6.8%) and other less common species. The majority of infected patients were females (59.2%) than males (41%). Antifungal susceptibility testing showed that 80% C. albicans were sensitive to fluconazole. Results of gene expression showed that CDR1 gene play a major role towards fluconazole resistance in C.albicans.Conclusion: Fluconazole was found to be effective in treating infections caused by C. albicans. 
 
 Keywords: Candida albicans, Candida Drug Resistant Gene 1, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Candida Tropicalis, Candida glabrata, and Candida lusitaniae